Methods and systems for eSIM programming of cellular devices during wireless power provision

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a wireless power supply that wirelessly provides power to a cellular device having an embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) while the cellular device is placed adjacent to the wireless power supply, a radio, and a processor programmed to control the radio to wirelessly provide a subscriber identification module (SIM) profile to a cellular device for loading into the eSIM while the wireless power supply wirelessly provides power to the cellular device. A cellular device includes an eSIM, a radio that wirelessly receives a SIM profile, a battery, and a secondary power supply configured to be wirelessly energized when placed adjacent to a wireless power supply. The secondary power supply supplies power to the radio while it receives the SIM profile and to the eSIM while the cellular device loads a SIM profile into the eSIM. The battery subsequently supplies power to the eSIM.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/377,877, filed on Aug. 22, 2016 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forthherein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to wireless communication systems.

Current cellular user equipment (UE) devices such as mobile phones orcellular USB (Universal Serial Bus) adaptors often require a SIM(Subscriber Identification Module) card in order to connect to acellular network. The SIM card comprises a small chip (e.g., integratedcircuit) that stores information used by the UE device to connect to thecellular network. The SIM card is typically provided by the networkoperator or service provider of the network in which the user wants tooperate his user equipment (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, etc.).

Among other data, the SIM card stores a SIM profile including thesubscriber phone number. The SIM card is also used in the authenticationprocedure when the UE device connects to the cellular network. Aconventional SIM card contains fixed, non-volatile and non-changeablecontent for the SIM profile within non-volatile memory or data storagethat is part of the integrated circuitry for the SIM card.

SIM card implementations have also previously been developed (e.g.,Apple SIM) that are indirectly user programmable. For example, through asoftware application (e.g., provided by Apple) downloaded to a mobiledevice, a user can select a particular data plan from any of theavailable network operators. The software application configures orprograms the programmable SIM within the mobile device by writing thenecessary content to programmable memory or data storage associated withthe programmable SIM. In this way, the user device can connect to thenetwork selected by the user.

A new version for a SIM card is the embedded subscriber identificationmodule (eSIM). An eSIM can be implemented as programmable electroniccircuitry that can be programmed to store a SIM profile and relatedinformation. As such, an eSIM is no longer required to be part of a SIMcard but can be included as part of other circuitry for a UE device. Forexample, an eSIM can be integrated into and/or combined with otherelectronic components for a UE device during manufacturing of the UEsimilar to other electronic components that are part of a UE device.Similar to prior programmable SIM cards (e.g., Apple SIM), the eSIM isalso freely programmable to allow for a user to connect the UE device toany desired server provider network.

To program an eSIM, a SIM profile is typically downloaded and programmedinto the eSIM. Typically, a host application is first connected to theUE, and the SIM profile is then downloaded to and stored in the eSIM.For example, a smart phone, smart mobile handset, and/or a smart watchcan include an eSIM that is programmed by downloading a SIM profile andstoring it within the eSIM for the device.

With respect to a smart phone implementation, an application thatprograms the eSIM is typically run on the smart phone. The user usesthis application to scan a QR (quick reference) code for a data plancontract, and the user possibly may also be required to validate theplan with a PIN (personal identification number). Once the applicationhas this data, the application connects via the Internet to the serverof the network provider, pulls the correct SIM profile for the smartphone, and loads it directly to the eSIM. As the application is runningon the smart phone, it has access to the eSIM. This application alsoactivates the new SIM profile and displays the status after suchactivation to show the user whether or not the procedure was successful.As such, the UE smart phone typically needs an internet connection tothe server of the network provider for this eSIM programming process.This internet connection can be established, for example, through acomputer system (e.g., personal computer (PC)) that is connected to theUE (e.g., via Bluetooth or USB), or via the cellular connection of theUE itself in the use case of a SIM profile upgrade, i.e., there is a SIMprofile already existing on the smart phone that can be used toestablish an internet connection via the cellular connection to downloadthe new profile.

With respect to a smart watch implementation, the smart watch typicallyneeds to be connected to a smart phone via Bluetooth for configuration.The application that programs the eSIM of the smart watch runs on thesmart phone, and the whole process then works similar to the processdescribed above for a smart phone implementation. Once the applicationhas pulled the SIM profile from the network operator, the applicationthen transfers it via Bluetooth to the smart watch and programs the eSIMin the smart watch.

An eSIM can also be implemented as a software-based SIM (soft SIM) thatuses software running on the processor of the UE device to perform thefunctions of the traditional SIM card. The SIM profile is still receivedand stored by the UE device, for example, within memory or data storagefor the UE device. The programming of the soft SIM is similar to theprogramming of the eSIM described above. The SIM profiles are downloadedand transferred to the UE device through the SIM software applicationexecuted by the processor for UE device, and the SIM profile is storedby the processor in memory or data storage for the UE device.

Battery power is expended by smart phones and smart watches as part of aSIM profile download and programming process. However, these devices aretypically expected to be charged daily or every few days, and thisbattery usage is typically viewed as acceptable. For some newer lowpower cellular devices, such as low power IoT (internet of things)cellular devices, this power usage would drain battery power for the lowpower IoT device and adversely affect long term performance andviability.

SUMMARY

Disclosed embodiments provide methods and systems to program, activate,and/or verify the activation status of eSIMs for low power wirelessdevices for IoT solutions without requiring a user interface within theIoT device and without adversely affecting battery power for the IoTdevice. A wide variety of variations can also be implemented while stilltaking advantage of the eSIM activation, programming, and verificationtechniques described herein.

In certain example embodiments, over-the-air (OTA) communications areused to communicate with the device in a controlled radio frequency (RF)environment. Such a controlled RF environment is provided, for example,with an RF shielded chamber in which the device is placed. Forrelatively small low power devices, this RF shielded chamber can be, forexample, about the size of a microwave oven depending on the shieldingrequirements. Further, disclosed embodiments can also include userinterfaces, such as a graphical user interface displayed through a videodisplay, and can include other circuitry such as a controller, radio,data storage devices, and/or other electronic circuitry mounted orotherwise included as part of a housing that includes the RF shieldedchamber. In additional embodiments, a communication interface isincluded to allow communications between the electronic circuitry withinthe low power eSIM activation device and an external computing system,such as a personal computer (PC), server, or other external electronicsystem. A variety of connections or links can be used to provide thiscommunication interface such as, for example, Ethernet connections, USBconnections, and/or other wired connections. Wireless connections canalso be used for this additional communication interface, although wiredconnections are preferred to avoid RF interference. The externalcomputer system can then be used to provide a visible user interfacethrough which programming, activation, and/or verification informationcan be displayed to a user. Other variations can also be implemented.

For further example embodiments, the eSIM activation equipment or deviceis also configured to test the low power IoT device. One or more testroutines can be stored by the eSIM activation device and can be used totest the operation of the low power IoT device once the eSIM within thedevice is configured and activated with SIM profile. For this testingand/or other operations, the RF shielded chamber is used to simulatebase station communications to the low power IoT device. For example,additional radio circuitry can be included as part of the eSIMactivation device to allow for communications that simulate the basestation operation for the wireless communication system related to theSIM profile being downloaded and programmed into the eSIM for the lowpower IoT device. These test routines can be used, for example, toverify proper operation of the low power IoT device once the eSIM hasbeen programmed with the SIM profile and activated. The test routinescan be used for other purposes as well.

Still further, additional embodiments are described that providewireless power to the low power IoT device using a wireless powersupply. The low power IoT device includes activation link circuitry anda short range wireless (SRW) radio that is isolated from a batterysupply for the low power IoT device and is separately powered by thewireless power supply. This activation link circuitry and SRW radio arethen used to download a SIM profile for the low power IoT device and toprogram the eSIM within the low power IoT device with the downloaded SIMprofile. The activation link circuitry can also be used to control thecellular radio on the low power IoT device in order to allowcommunication with a simulated base station and/or an actual basestation for the wireless communication system associated with the SIMprofile programmed into the low power IoT device.

Other variations can also be implemented while still taking advantage ofthe eSIM programming, activation, and verification techniques describedherein.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a wireless power supplyconfigured to wirelessly provide power to a cellular device having anembedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) while the cellulardevice is placed adjacent to the wireless power supply, a radio, and aprocessor programmed to control the radio to wirelessly provide asubscriber identification module (SIM) profile to a cellular device forloading into the eSIM while the wireless power supply wirelesslyprovides power to the cellular device.

In some embodiments, a method includes wirelessly providing power to acellular device having an embedded subscriber identification module(eSIM) while the cellular device is placed adjacent to a wireless powersupply, and wirelessly transferring a subscriber identification module(SIM) profile to the cellular device while said wirelessly providingpower to the cellular device.

In some embodiments, a cellular device includes an embedded subscriberidentification module (eSIM), a radio configured to wirelessly receive asubscriber identification module (SIM) profile, a battery, and asecondary power supply configured to be wirelessly energized when placedadjacent to a wireless power supply. The secondary power supply isconfigured to supply power to the radio while it receives the SIMprofile and to the eSIM while the cellular device loads a SIM profileinto the eSIM. The battery is configured to supply power to the eSIMafter the SIM profile is loaded into the eSIM and the secondary powersupply ceases to be energized by the wireless power supply.

In some embodiments, a method includes a cellular device having anembedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) wirelessly receivingpower from a wireless power supply placed adjacent to the cellulardevice, receiving a subscriber identification module (SIM) profile whilewirelessly receiving power from the wireless power supply, and loadingthe wirelessly received SIM profile into the eSIM.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is noted that the appended drawings illustrate only exemplaryembodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of thescope of the present inventions, for the inventions may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment for eSIM activationequipment that operates as an eSIM activation device to program,activate, and/or verify eSIM operation for low power cellular devices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example embodiment for eSIM activationequipment that operates as an eSIM activation device and uses asimulated cellular environment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment for eSIM activationequipment that operates as an eSIM activation device and uses asimulated cellular environment along with wireless powering of aseparate wireless activation link.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram of an example embodiment that uses a radiofrequency (RF) shielded chamber to activate and test a low power UEdevice having an eSIM.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example embodiment for eSIM activationequipment that operates as an eSIM activation device and uses anexisting cellular communication system along with wireless powering of aseparate wireless activation link.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram of an example embodiment where an eSIM for alow power UE device is programmed using an activation link that ispowered wirelessly.

FIGS. 7A-B are diagrams of an example embodiment for electroniccomponents that can be used to implement activation equipment,activation circuitry, UE devices, and/or other processing systems forthe disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms

The term cellular frequency is intended to be interpreted according toits well-understood meaning, which includes a cellular frequencyincludes all frequencies dedicated to cellular communications by theWorld Radio Conference and standardized by 3GPP for cellulartechnologies, which includes current and future standards.

The term radio frequency (RF) shielded chamber is intended to beinterpreted according to its well-understood meaning, which includes aRF shielded chamber is an enclosed space or cavity that shields RFsignals from entering or exiting the enclosed space or cavity.

The term subscriber identification module (SIM) profile is intended tobe interpreted according to its well-understood meaning, which includesa SIM profile is information that specifies a cellular networksubscriber phone number and information used in the authenticationprocedure when the subscriber's device connects to the cellular network.Examples of the authentication information include an internationalmobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, a personalidentification number (PIN) and a personal unblocking code (PUK).

The term embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) is intended tobe interpreted according to its well-understood meaning, which includesa eSIM is programmable electronic circuitry that can be programmed tostore a SIM profile and related information.

The term wireless power supply is intended to be interpreted accordingto its well-understood meaning, which includes a wireless power supplyis a transmitting device that powers, via wireless power transmission,secondary power supply of a receiving device using time-varyingelectric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields. For example, a wirelesspower supply may be an inductive power source that inductively powersthe secondary power supply of the receiving device. For example, thewireless power supply can be a pad or platform upon, or adjacent to,which the receiving device can be placed. For example, the wirelesspower supply may conform to wireless charging standards, e.g., Qi,Powermat, A4WP, and/or other wireless charging standards.

New low power wireless devices for IoT (internet of things) solutionsare often designed for applications where battery life is required tolast for two or more years and preferably for five or more years. It isalso desirable, however, for such new low power cellular devices toinclude cellular connections for certain IoT solutions, and it is alsodesirable for these cellular connections to be configurable through aSIM profile downloaded and stored with respect to an eSIM for the lowpower device. Two things are needed, however, to download the SIMprofile to the eSIM: (1) a device with a user interface to initiate theeSIM programming procedure with the right authentication data, and (2) aconnection from a programming device to the device with the eSIM.

New low power IoT devices, however, often do not include a userinterface (e.g., visible display). Examples of such devices are powermeters, motion sensors, humidity sensor, flower pot water sensors,and/or other low power IoT devices. Further, to reduce the powerconsumption of such devices, they are typically designed with minimumfunctionality that is designed only to meet the functional needs forthem to serve their particular design purpose. As such, these devicestypically do not have circuitry to connect to any other additionalwireless network other than the cellular network itself. For example, ahumidity sensor IoT device could have sensor circuitry that detectshumidity and a cell radio that connects to the cellular network such asfor example using the new standard NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT, also known asLTE-NB1 or LTE-M2). Because the battery lifetime of such IoT devicesshould be longer than two (2) years and preferably longer than five (5)years, any additional non-essential functionality is typically excludedfrom the device if it consumes additional power. As indicated above,therefore, including eSIM and related circuitry to download andconfigure SIM profiles is typically assumed to be a non-viable solutionfor low power IoT devices as this circuitry consumes power frombatteries for such devices and is not directed to the primary end-usepurpose for the device.

The disclosed embodiments provide methods and systems to program,activate, and/or verify the activation status of eSIMs for low powerwireless devices for IoT solutions without requiring a user interfacewithin the IoT device and without adversely affecting battery power forthe IoT device. Other advantages can also be provided. Further, for theembodiments disclosed herein, it is noted that an eSIM refers to anyprogrammable electronic circuits within an UE device that receive andstore one or more downloaded SIM profiles and related information. Thus,an eSIM can be implemented as hardware circuitry integrated within oneor more integrated circuits for an UE device, as software instructionsexecuted by a processor within the UE device, or as a combination ofhardware and software included within the eSIM device that is configuredor programmed to perform the eSIM activation, programming, andverification described herein. As such, a wide variety of variations canbe implemented for the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment 100 for eSIM activationequipment 102 that operates as an eSIM activation device. An RF shieldedchamber 104 and activation circuitry 106 are mounted, integrated with,or otherwise included within a housing that can also include the othercomponents for the eSIM activation equipment 102. One or more userinterfaces 112 and/or one or more communication interfaces 114 can alsobe coupled to the activation circuitry 106 and be included as part ofthe housing. The activation circuitry 106 includes one or more radios108 that are used to communicate configuration messages 118 and testmessages 116 with the UE 120. The configuration messages 118 are used todownload a SIM profile 110 to the UE 120 that is then programmed by theUE 120 into the eSIM 122. The test messages 116 are used to test orverify the UE 120 for the intended cellular communication systemassociated with the SIM profiles 110, for example, by simulating a basestation for the intended cellular communication system.

The SIM profiles 110 can be downloaded from a SIM profile database 136stored by a server 134 for the network provider of the cellular systemfor which the UE 120 is being configured. Further, this network providerserver 134 can be a network-connected server such as an Internet-basedserver. Once downloaded from the server 134, the activation circuitry106 can also be configured to locally store the SIM profiles 110 thatare then loaded into the eSIM 122 for the UE 120. It is also noted,however, that the activation circuitry 106 can also download a SIMprofile from the server 134 after initiation of the eSIM activationprocess, and this downloaded SIM profile can be communicated directly tothe UE 120 without first storing it locally.

If included, the one or more user interfaces 112 are used to displayprogramming, activation, and/or verification information to a user 130,such as through a video display, as described herein. The userinterfaces 112 can also include or be associated with one or more userinput/output (I/O) devices to allow for user input (e.g., mouse,pointer, keyboard, etc.). If included, the one or more communicationinterfaces 114 can be any wired or wireless connection or link, asdescribed herein, although wired connections are preferred to avoid RFinterference. Further, the communication interfaces 114 can be used tocommunicate with a local personal computer (PC) or server 132, forexample, through which the user 130 interfaces with the eSIM activationequipment 102. The communication interfaces 114 can also be used tocommunicate with the network-connected or Internet-based server 134 thatis operated by the network provider and that stores SIM profiles withinthe SIM profile database 136. It is also noted that local PC/server 132can be configured to download the SIM profile from the server 134 andthen provide this downloaded SIM profile to the eSIM activationequipment 102 through the communication interfaces 114. Other variationscould also be implemented while still taking advantage of the eSIMprogramming, activation, and/or verification described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example embodiment 200 for eSIM activationequipment 102 that operates as an eSIM activation device. For thisexample embodiment, the activation circuitry 106 includes a cellular(cell) radio 108, a controller 202, memory 204, and storage device 206that stores test/verification routines 208 along with SIM profiles 110(if stored locally). An antenna 210 is coupled to the cellular radio 108and is configured to transmit/receive RF signals within the RF shieldedchamber to an antenna 220 for the UE device 120. The UE 120 includes aneSIM 122 along with a battery and other electronic circuitry. It is alsonoted that the SIM profiles 110 can also be stored in the memory 204,for example, if downloaded from an Internet-based server 134 and onlystored temporarily by the activation circuitry 106.

In operation, the UE device 120 is put into the RF shielded chamber 104of a test box or housing that includes the controller 202, the userinterface(s) (UIs) 112, and/or the communication interface(s) 114 (e.g.,to connect to a local PC/server 132 and/or network server 134) alongwith the cell radio 108 and the antenna 210 that provides RFtransmission into and reception from inside the RF chamber of cellularsignals. The cell radio 108 and the antenna 210 that provides RFtransmission and reception can be, for example, a USRP (universalsoftware radio peripheral) device and related antennas available fromNational Instruments that simulates the base station of a mobile networkinside the RF shielded chamber that can connect to the UE device 120.Example embodiments for wireless communication systems providinguniversal software radio system solutions are described within U.S.Published Patent Application 2015/0326286, entitled “MASSIVE MIMOARCHITECTURE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

The communication protocol of cellular devices typically includes datachannels and control channels. The control channel of the protocol isused by the eSIM activation equipment 102 to connect to the UE device120 and to download a SIM profile 110 to the UE device 120 and toactivate it. Once the SIM profile 110, for example including a PIN(personal identifier), is downloaded and activated, the UE device 120will, in accordance with its standard configuration, automatically startto connect to the simulated network in the RF shield chamber accordingto its SIM profile. The reception functionality of the eSIM activationequipment 102 will receive the signal, compare it with a pre-definedexpected signal, and issue a verdict of that test and/or verificationthat is shown on the UI 112 and/or communicated through thecommunication interface 114.

It is noted that the controller 202 can be implemented as one or moreprocessors and/or other programmable integrated circuits that areprogrammed to carry out the function described herein. For example, thecontroller 202 can load and execute instructions stored in one or morenon-transitory data storage mediums, for example that are stored instorage device 206, to cause the eSIM activation equipment to performthe functions described herein. Memory 204 can be used by controller 202to load and execute such instructions. Other variations could also beimplemented.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment 300 for eSIM activationequipment 102 that operates as an eSIM activation device. For thisexample embodiment, the eSIM activation equipment also includes awireless power supply 306 configured to wirelessly power circuitrywithin the UE device 104. In addition, the activation circuitry 106 alsoincludes a short range wireless (SRW) radio 302 and a related antenna304 that are configured to transmit/receive wireless signals within theRF shielded chamber 104. It is noted that antenna 210 can also be sharedby the cellular radio 108 and the SRW radio 302, if desired, rather thanincluding an additional antenna 304.

In addition, for this example embodiment, the UE device 120 alsoincludes activation link circuitry 314, an SRW radio 316, a battery 310,and a cell radio 312. The cell radio 312 is coupled to the antenna 220and is powered by the battery 310 during normal operation. However, thecell radio 312 can also be powered by the activation link circuitry 314when this circuitry is powered by the wireless power supply 306. Theactivation link circuitry 314 also powers the SRW radio 316. Theactivation link circuitry 314 is isolated from the battery 310 so thatit does not draw power from the battery 310 when the activation linkcircuitry 314 is powered by the wireless power supply 306 to provide theeSIM programming, activation, and verification described herein. It isalso noted that antenna 220 can also be shared by the cellular radio 312and the SRW radio 316, if desired, rather than including an additionalantenna 318. The activation link circuitry 314 can include a secondarypower supply as well as control circuitry, logic circuitry, FSM (finitestate machine) circuitry, and/or other electronic circuits configuredand/or programmed to perform the activation, programming, andverification processes described herein for the UE device 120.

In operation, the UE device 104 includes a secondary wireless dataconnection provided by the activation link circuitry 314 and the SRWradio 316. For example, this secondary wireless data connection can be aBluetooth connection, a NFC (near field communication) connection,and/or another short range wireless connection. The power supply of theactivation link circuitry 314 is separated from the power supply of themain functionality of the UE device 104 so as not to consume the UEdevice's power such as from the battery 310. Instead of a battery, theactivation link circuitry 314 is powered temporarily and wirelesslyusing the wireless power supply 306. This wireless power supply 306 canbe, for example, an inductive power source that inductively powers theactivation link circuitry 314. For certain embodiments, wirelesscharging standards can be used for this wireless power supply (e.g., Qi,Powermat, A4WP, and/or other wireless charging standards).

The eSIM activation equipment 102 includes the shielded RF chamber 104along with the cell radio 108 and the SRW radio 302 for transmissioninto and reception from inside the RF chamber. The cell radio 108 isconfigured to receive and transmit signals in accordance with thecellular standard that the UE device 120 has to operate in normaloperation (e.g. NB-IoT standard). The SRW radio 302 is configured toreceive and transmit signals in accordance with the communicationprotocol selected for the activation link through the SRW radios 316 and302 (e.g., Bluetooth, NFC).

Once the UE device 120 is placed inside the RF shielded chamber 104 forthe eSIM activation equipment 102 and placed on or adjacent the areareserved for wireless charging, the power supply of the activation linkcircuitry 314 is powered by the wireless power supply 306 and becomesactive. The controller 202 then establishes an activation link to the UEdevice 120 through the activation link, transfers the SIM profile 110 tothe UE device 120, and activates the UE device 120 according to thestandardized activation procedure for the eSIM 122. After thisactivation, the eSIM activation equipment 102, using the cellularcommunication link, simulates a cellular base station and connects tothe UE device 120 as if in normal operation for the UE device 120. Thereception functionality of the eSIM activation equipment 102 willreceive the cellular signal that the UE device 120 is transmitting,compare it with a pre-defined expected signal, and issue a verdict ofthat test and/or verification that is shown on the UI 112 and/orcommunicated through the communication interface 114.

It is again noted that the controller 202 can be implemented as one ormore processors and/or other programmable integrated circuits that areprogrammed to carry out the function described herein. For example, thecontroller 202 can load and execute instructions stored in one or morenon-transitory data storage mediums, for example that are stored instorage device 206, to cause the eSIM activation equipment to performthe functions described herein. Memory 204 can be used by controller 202to load and execute such instructions. Other variations could also beimplemented.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram of an example embodiment 400 that uses an RFshielded chamber to activate and test a low power UE device having aneSIM. In block 402, a UE device is placed in an RF shielded chamber. Inblock 404, a SIM profile is wirelessly communicated to the UE devicewithin the RF shielded chamber. In block 406, the SIM profile is used toconfigure or program the eSIM within the UE device. In block 408, basestation communications with the UE device are simulated within the RFshielded chamber, for example, to test and/or verify the operation ofthe UE device after the eSIM is programmed with the downloaded SIMprofile. In block 410, the results of this test or verification arecommunicated to a user such as through a user interface (e.g., display)or through a communication interface (e.g., network connection) toanother computing system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example embodiment for eSIM activationequipment 500 that operates as an eSIM activation device. For thisexample embodiment, the eSIM activation equipment 102 includesactivation circuitry 106 that is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3.However, an RF shielded chamber 104 is not included, and a cell radio108 and test routines 208 are also not included in this eSIM activationequipment 102. Rather than simulate a base station within an RF shieldedchamber 104, the UE device 120 instead communicates with an actualcommunication system base station 510 through its antenna 512. For thisembodiment 500, verification results can still be communicated back tothe eSIM activation equipment through the activation link provided bythe SRW radios 316 and 302, and a verdict for verification can still beshown on the UI 112 and/or communicated through the communicationinterface 114.

Similar to FIG. 3, the UE device 104 for embodiment 500 of FIG. 5includes a secondary wireless data connection provided by the activationlink circuitry 314 and the SRW radio 316. For example, this secondarywireless data connection can be a Bluetooth connection, a NFC (nearfield communication) connection, and/or another short rage wirelessconnection. The power supply of the activation link circuitry 314 isseparated from the power supply of the main functionality of the UEdevice 104 so to not consume the UE device's power such as the battery310. Instead of a battery, the activation link circuitry 314 is poweredtemporarily and wirelessly using the wireless power supply 306. Thiswireless power supply 306 can be, for example, an inductive power sourcethat inductively powers the activation link circuitry 314. For certainembodiments, wireless charging standards can be used for this wirelesspower supply (e.g., Qi, Powermat, A4WP, and/or other wireless chargingstandards.

It is noted that the wireless power supply 306 can be implemented in oneembodiment as a pad or platform upon which the UE device 120 can beplaced during activation. The pad or platform includes the wirelesspower supply 306 that provides the wireless charging capability (e.g.,in accordance with the standard Qi and/or another wireless chargingstandard). Once the UE device 120 is placed on or adjacent the areareserved for wireless charging, the power supply of the activation linkcircuitry 314 is charged and the activation link becomes active, asdescribed above. The eSIM activation equipment 102 including thecontroller 202 and the user interface (“UI”) 112 uses the activationlink to connect to the UE device 120. Once the link is established, theeSIM 122 can be programmed with a SIM profile 110 as described herein.For one embodiment, a standard smart phone can be used to provide theactivation circuitry 106 and the user interface 112 and can provide theprogramming, activation, and/or verification of the SIM profile 110loaded into the eSIM 122 for the UE 120. Such a standard smart phone canalso use an application downloaded and run by the smart phone to performthese functions. Other variations can also be implemented.

It is again noted that the controller 202 can be implemented as one ormore processors and/or other programmable integrated circuits that areprogrammed to carry out the function described herein. For example, thecontroller 202 can load and execute instructions stored in one or morenon-transitory data storage mediums, for example that are stored instorage device 206, to cause the eSIM activation equipment to performthe functions described herein. Memory 204 can be used by controller 202to load and execute such instructions. Other variations could also beimplemented.

FIG. 6 is a process diagram of an example embodiment 600 where an eSIMfor a low power UE device is programmed using an activation link that ispowered wirelessly. In block 602, a UE device is placed adjacent or on awireless power supply. In block 604, activation link circuitry withinthe UE device including related radio circuitry is powered with thewireless power supply. In block 606, a SIM profile is wirelesslycommunicated to the UE device through the activation link. In analternate embodiment, the SIM profile is wirelessly communicated fromthe cell radio of the eSIM activation equipment to the cell radio of theUE similar to the manner described with respect to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 1and 2, which may alleviate the need for an SRW radio in the UE and inthe eSIM activation equipment. In block 608, the eSIM within the UEdevice is configured or programmed with the SIM profile. In block 610,the configured UE device communicates with a base station of thecommunication system associated with the SIM profile loaded into the UEdevice.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of an example embodiment 700 for electroniccomponents that can be used to implement activation equipment 102,activation circuitry 106, and/or other processing systems for thedisclosed embodiments. One or more processors operate as the controller202 and communicate with other components through system businterconnect 702. For example, the one or more processors 202communicate with input/output (I/O) circuitry 704, transmit (TX) andreceive (RX) radio circuitry 706, one or more user interfaces (UI) 112,and one or more communication interfaces 114 through the system businterconnect 702. Additional circuitry can also be included such aspower supply circuitry and/or other desired circuitry. For example, incertain embodiments a wireless power supply 306 is included towirelessly power circuitry within the UE device 120 as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3 and 5. The TX/RX radio circuitry 706 can be usedto provide, for example, the cell radio 108, the SRW radio 302, and/orother desired radios. The memory 204 is also coupled to the system businterconnect 702 and can be used by the one or more processors 202 tostore instructions, data, and/or other information during operation. Oneor more data storage device(s) 206 are also connected to the system businterconnect 702 and can store SIM profiles 110, test routines 208,software or program instructions, and/or other desired data orinformation for the operation of the processing system. For example,instructions stored in the data storage devices 206 can be loaded withinthe memory 204 and then executed by the processor(s) 202 to carry outthe functions described herein.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of an example embodiment 750 for electroniccomponents that can be used to implement the UE device 120 for thedisclosed embodiments. One or more processors 758 communicate with othercomponents through system bus interconnect 752. For example, the one ormore processors 758 communicate through the system bus interconnect 752with transmit (TX) and receive (RX) radio circuitry 760 and the eSIMcircuitry 122, which can be programmable through the system businterconnect 752. Where the UE device is configured to use sensors, oneor more sensors 762 can also be included as part of the UE device andcan also be coupled to communicate through the system bus interconnect752. A battery 764 is coupled to and powers the one or more processors758 as well as the other components. Additional circuitry can also beincluded. For example in certain embodiments, activation link circuitry314 including a secondary power supply 765 is also included, and thesecondary power supply 765 can be coupled to the eSIM circuitry 122 andthe TX/RX radio circuitry 760 (e.g., to a SRW radio), can be wirelesslypowered, and can be used for the activation process as described abovewith respect to FIGS. 3 and 5. The TX/RX radio circuitry 760 can be usedto provide, for example, the cell radio 312, the SRW radios 316, and/orother desired radios. The memory 756 is also coupled to the system businterconnect 752 and can be used by the one or more processors 758 tostore instructions, data, and/or other information during operation. Oneor more data storage device(s) 754 are also connected to the system businterconnect 752 and can store software or program instructions and/orother desired data or information for the operation of the processingsystem. For example, instructions stored in the data storage devices 754can be loaded within the memory 756 and then executed by theprocessor(s) 758 to carry out the functions described herein.

It is noted that different and/or additional components from thosedepicted in FIGS. 7A-B could also be used to implement one or moreprocessing systems for the embodiments described herein while stilltaking advantage of the eSIM programming, activation, and/orverification described herein. It is further noted that the system businterconnect 702/752 can be implemented as multiple interconnectionbuses with our without additional intervening circuitry such as routingor switching circuitry. Further, the processor(s) 202/758 can beimplemented using one or more processing devices including controllers,microcontrollers, microprocessors, hardware accelerators, configurablelogic devices (e.g., field programmable gate arrays), and/or otherprocessing devices or programmable integrated circuits that areprogrammed to carry out the function described herein. Further, the oneor more processing devices can execute instructions stored in anon-transitory tangible computer-readable medium to perform thefunctions described herein. In addition, data storage device(s) 206/754can be implemented as any desired non-transitory tangible medium thatstores data, such as data storage devices, FLASH memory, random accessmemory, read only memory, programmable memory devices, reprogrammablestorage devices, hard drives, floppy disks, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and/or anyother non-transitory data storage mediums. The memory 204/756 can be anydata storage medium configured to maintain data storage when powered.Other variations could also be implemented. Further, embodiments arecontemplated in which the RF shielded chamber is large enclosed space orcavity that shields RF signals from entering or exiting such as anunderground cavern or RF shielded factory building that also enclosesthe activation circuitry of the eSIM activation equipment. An advantageof such an embodiment may be that it facilitates many low power IoTcellular devices to be programmed at a time.

It is also noted that the functions described herein can be implementedusing hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, asdesired. In addition, one or more processors or processing circuitryrunning software and/or firmware can also be used, as desired, toimplement the disclosed embodiments. It is further understood that oneor more of the operations, tasks, functions, or methodologies describedherein may be implemented, for example, as software or firmware and/orother program instructions that are embodied in one or morenon-transitory tangible computer readable mediums (e.g., memory) andthat are executed by one or more controllers, microcontrollers,microprocessors, hardware accelerators, and/or other processors orprocessing circuitry to perform the operations and functions describedherein.

It is further noted that the functional blocks, devices, and/orcircuitry described herein can be implemented using hardware, software,or a combination of hardware and software. In addition, one or moreprocessors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs), controllers,microcontrollers, microprocessors, hardware accelerators, programmableintegrated circuitry, FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), ASICs(application specific integrated circuits), and/or other programmableprocessing circuitry) can be programmed to perform the operations,tasks, functions, or actions described herein for the disclosedembodiments. For example, the one or more electronic circuits can beconfigured to execute or otherwise be programmed with software,firmware, logic, and/or other program instructions stored in one or morenon-transitory tangible computer-readable mediums (e.g., data storagedevices, flash memory, random access memory, read only memory,programmable memory devices, reprogrammable storage devices, harddrives, floppy disks, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and/or any other tangible datastorage medium) to perform the operations, tasks, functions, or actionsdescribed herein for the disclosed embodiments.

It is still further noted that the functional blocks, components,systems, devices, and/or circuitry described herein can be implementedusing hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Forexample, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented using one or moreprogrammable integrated circuits that are programmed to perform thefunctions, tasks, methods, actions, and/or other operational featuresdescribed herein for the disclosed embodiments. The one or moreprogrammable integrated circuits can include, for example, one or moreprocessors and/or PLDs (programmable logic devices). The one or moreprocessors can be, for example, one or more central processing units(CPUs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, hardwareaccelerators, ASICs (application specific integrated circuit), and/orother integrated processing devices. The one or more PLDs can be, forexample, one or more CPLDs (complex programmable logic devices), FPGAs(field programmable gate arrays), PLAs (programmable logic array),reconfigurable logic circuits, and/or other integrated logic devices.Further, the programmable integrated circuits, including the one or moreprocessors, can be configured to execute software, firmware, code,and/or other program instructions that are embodied in one or morenon-transitory tangible computer-readable mediums to perform thefunctions, tasks, methods, actions, and/or other operational featuresdescribed herein for the disclosed embodiments. The programmableintegrated circuits, including the one or more PLDs, can also beprogrammed using logic code, logic definitions, hardware descriptionlanguages, configuration files, and/or other logic instructions that areembodied in one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readablemediums to perform the functions, tasks, methods, actions, and/or otheroperational features described herein for the disclosed embodiments. Inaddition, the one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readablemediums can include, for example, one or more data storage devices,memory devices, flash memories, random access memories, read onlymemories, programmable memory devices, reprogrammable storage devices,hard drives, floppy disks, DVDs, CD-ROMs, and/or any othernon-transitory tangible computer-readable mediums. Other variations canalso be implemented while still taking advantage of the reciprocitycompensation techniques described herein.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Itwill be recognized, therefore, that the present invention is not limitedby these example arrangements. Accordingly, this description is to beconstrued as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching thoseskilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention herein shown and describedare to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changesmay be made in the implementations and architectures. For example,equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated anddescribed herein, and certain features of the invention may be utilizedindependently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent toone skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description ofthe invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a wireless powersupply configured to wirelessly provide power to a cellular devicehaving an embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) while thecellular device is placed adjacent to the wireless power supply; aradio; a processor programmed to control the radio to wirelessly providea subscriber identification module (SIM) profile to the cellular devicefor loading into the eSIM while the wireless power supply wirelesslyprovides power to the cellular device; wherein the radio comprises acellular frequency radio; and a radio frequency (RF) shielded chamberconfigured to receive the cellular device while the wireless powersupply wirelessly provides power to the cellular device and while theradio wirelessly provides the SIM profile to the cellular device.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio comprises a short range wireless(SRW) frequency radio.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:an antenna disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radio configuredto transmit cellular frequency signals to wirelessly provide the SIMprofile to the cellular device.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a user interface configured to receive identificationinformation usable to obtain the SIM profile from a cellular networkprovider server.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:wherein the processor is further programmed to test operation of thecellular device while the cellular device uses the SIM profile loadedinto the eSIM; and a user interface is configured to provide to a userresults of the test.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: acommunication interface through which the SIM profile is downloaded tothe apparatus from a network provider server database of SIM profiles.7. A method, comprising: wirelessly providing power to a cellular devicehaving an embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM) while thecellular device is placed adjacent to a wireless power supply;wirelessly transferring a subscriber identification module (SIM) profileto the cellular device for loading into the eSIM while said wirelesslyproviding power to the cellular device; wherein the cellular devicecomprises a cellular frequency radio; and receiving, by a radiofrequency (RF) shielded chamber, the cellular device while the wirelesspower supply wirelessly provides power to the cellular device and whilethe radio wirelessly provides the SIM profile to the cellular device. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein the cellular device is without a userinterface.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said wirelesslytransferring the SIM profile to the cellular device comprises usingsignals in a short range wireless (SRW) frequency range.
 10. The methodof claim 7, wherein said wirelessly transferring the SIM profile to thecellular device comprises using signals in the cellular frequency range.11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving, from thecellular device by an apparatus that performed said wirelesslytransferring a subscriber identification module (SIM) profile to thecellular device, a result of whether the SIM profile was successfullyloaded into the eSIM; and providing the result to a user.
 12. A cellulardevice, comprising: an embedded subscriber identification module (eSIM);a radio configured to wirelessly receive a subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) profile; a secondary power supply configured to bewirelessly energized when placed adjacent to a wireless power supply;wherein, when energized by the wireless power supply, the secondarypower supply is configured to supply power to: the radio while itreceives the SIM profile; and the eSIM while the received SIM profile isloaded into the eSIM; a battery configured to supply power to thecellular device after the SIM profile is loaded into the eSIM to enablethe cellular device to perform communications over a cellular network;wherein the radio comprises a short range wireless (SRW) frequency radiopowered by the secondary power supply rather than by the battery; acellular frequency radio; and wherein the battery is configured tosupply power to the cellular frequency radio for performingcommunications over a cellular network after the SIM profile is loadedinto the eSIM.
 13. The cellular device of claim 12, wherein the radiocomprises a cellular frequency radio.
 14. A method, comprising:wirelessly receiving power, by a cellular device having an embeddedsubscriber identification module (eSIM) and a battery, from a wirelesspower supply placed adjacent to the cellular device; wirelesslyreceiving, by the cellular device, a subscriber identification module(SIM) profile while said wirelessly receiving power from the wirelesspower supply; loading, by the cellular device, the wirelessly receivedSIM profile into the eSIM while said wirelessly receiving power from thewireless power supply; wherein the cellular device comprises a shortrange wireless (SRW) frequency radio powered by the secondary powersupply rather than by the battery; wherein the cellular device furthercomprises a cellular frequency radio; and wherein the battery isconfigured to supply power to the cellular frequency radio forperforming communications over a cellular network after the SIM profileis loaded into the eSIM.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein thecellular device is without a user interface.
 16. The method of claim 14,wherein said wirelessly receiving the SIM profile comprises usingsignals in a short range wireless (SRW) frequency range.
 17. The methodof claim 14, wherein said wirelessly receiving the SIM profile comprisesusing signals in the cellular frequency range.
 18. The method of claim14, further comprising: providing, by the cellular device, an indicationof whether the SIM profile was successfully loaded into the eSIM to anapparatus that wirelessly provides the SIM profile to the cellulardevice.
 19. An apparatus, comprising: a wireless power supply configuredto wirelessly provide power to a cellular device having an embeddedsubscriber identification module (eSIM) while the cellular device isplaced adjacent to the wireless power supply; a radio; a processorprogrammed to control the radio to wirelessly provide a subscriberidentification module (SIM) profile to the cellular device for loadinginto the eSIM while the wireless power supply wirelessly provides powerto the cellular device; wherein the radio comprises a cellular frequencyradio; and a radio frequency (RF) shielded chamber configured to receivethe cellular device while the wireless power supply wirelessly providespower to the cellular device and while the radio wirelessly provides theSIM profile to the cellular device.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,further comprising: an antenna disposed in the chamber and coupled tothe radio configured to transmit cellular frequency signals towirelessly provide the SIM profile to the cellular device.
 21. Anapparatus, comprising: a wireless power supply configured to wirelesslyprovide power to a cellular device having an embedded subscriberidentification module (eSIM) while the cellular device is placedadjacent to the wireless power supply; a radio; a processor programmedto control the radio to wirelessly provide a subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) profile to the cellular device for loading into the eSIMwhile the wireless power supply wirelessly provides power to thecellular device; and a user interface configured to receiveidentification information usable to obtain the SIM profile from acellular network provider server.